‘Political Animals’ signs off with 2.3 million on USA

Chances of shifting into drama series seems highly unlikely

Now that USA Network’s “Political Animals” has signed off as a miniseries, the question is whether it might return as a drama series next year.

Based on its ratings, the chances are slim.

“Animals” finished up its six-episode run Sunday night with 2.3 million viewers (up 18% from last week), 659,000 in the 18-49 demo and 804,000 in the 25-54 demo. Those totals were the second best since the July 15 series premiere.

Prior to the show’s launch, the cabler’s hopes were that the project — from Warner Horizon and creator Greg Berlanti — would be a breakout hit and segue into a series, but it would be difficult to make that case now.

Mini starred Sigourney Weaver as a Hillary Clinton-like Secretary of State who lost in a presidential bid and deals with a philandering ex-husband who was a former president. Turning “Animals” into a series is now more problematic because Ciaran Hinds, who played Weaver’s on-screen spouse, has now signed on for a co-starring role in HBO’s fantasy series “Game of Thrones.”